Sticker Shock Campaign

The Morgan Peer Advocates, with support from MADD, has launched a Sticker Shock Campaign to target area adults who might purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. With the support of retailers, warning stickers will be placed on multi-packs of beer, wine coolers, hard lemonades and other “alcopops” known to appeal to minors. In addition to the stickers, stores are also placing prominent signs in their windows.

“The Sticker Shock Campaign is all about raising public awareness and doing it when and where the message really counts – at the retail store at the time of purchase,” said Andrea Kaye, Peer Advocate co-facilitator. Added Kaye, “In Connecticut, adults who provide alcohol to minors can face criminal penalties and civil liability. You can be imprisoned up to 18 months and be fined up to $1,500. If you furnish alcohol to children under age 16, you can be charged with risk of injury to a minor and face a prison term of up to ten years and a fine of $10,000. We want this project to send a clear warning to those young adults who are of legal age to purchase alcohol: Furnishing alcohol to minors is a felony. Don’t let one impulsive act ruin your life.”

This sticker shock campaign is a youth-driven project. The youth involved with this project are very dedicated and concerned about adults who provide alcohol to their underage peers. Unfortunately, it is far to easy for minors to gain access to alcohol and the consequences, from alcohol poisoning to auto accidents, can be deadly. They want this practice to stop. On Friday, December 10th, teams of involved youth, accompanied by an adult chaperone will go to various retail stores that sell liquor including Shore Discount Liquors, The Liquor Shoppe, The Bottle Shop, Glenwood Wine & Spirits, Town and Country Market, ShopRite, and Stop & Shop to distribute the stickers. The parents, teens and business people involved in this project are a great example of asset building in our community.

“Limiting youth access to alcohol is essential if we are to reduce underage drinking. We have the right drinking age and the right laws on the books. We just need to support it in our homes and in our communities by reminding adults of the importance of keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors. Lives depend on it,” said Kaye.

Officer Kyle Srunjo, Morgan SRO noted that all area retail stores were anxious to participate. Said Srunjo, “Preventing underage drinking is everyone’s responsibility. Parents, school personnel, teens, public health agencies, law enforcement and retail establishments must work together. Activities such as this Sticker Shock Campaign shows that teens themselves can be a driving force in stopping underage drinking.”